P463Teletext 463Oct 4 21:55:13   ————————  —————————————— ILLEGAL EAGLES The recent police swoop on suspected bird-launderers highlights the issue ofthe illegal breeding of birds of prey. All the species involved in last week's raids - including peregrine falcons, goshawks and merlins - are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act. But forensic science has caught up with bird thieves. DNA testing can determine a bird's parentage, and so prove if it is of captive-bred or wild stock. ——————————————————————————————————2/5—— National news headlines on ITV 300 NICK FISHER CAN HELP YOU p446Labour Events Index Grooves

P463Teletext 463Oct 4 21:31:01   ————————  —————————————— ILLEGAL EAGLES Despite the weekend raids on illegal bird breeders, the RSPB is confident the trade is being stamped out. Guy Shorrock says: "Nest robberies are decreasing because of DNA testing." He also advises anyone thinking of buying a bird of prey to check the bird's history, and to look for a band,or "close ring" around its foot. Call the National Council for Aviculture formore details on 01483 776801. ——————————————————————————————————5/5—— It's Your Life! 480 WHAT'S ON AT THE CINEMA? p610Labour Events Index Grooves

P463Teletext 463Oct 4 21:51:01   ————————  —————————————— ILLEGAL EAGLES Rare birds of prey were seized by police last weekend from suspected illegal breeders in England and Wales. Now, genetic DNA "fingerprinting" is being carried out at Nottingham University to establish whether they are captive-bred or taken from the wildillegally. If convicted, the bird-launderers could face anything from a £100 fine to an 18-month jail term. ——————————————————————————————————1/5—— Join the Club! 440 GET INTO THE ECO-SCENE!! p448Labour Events Index Grooves

P463Teletext 463Oct 4 21:50:00   ————————  —————————————— ILLEGAL EAGLES Guy Shorrock, of the RSPB, says bird laundering is big business: "Illegal breeders can sell goshawks for £1,200 each and peregrines for £800. "Some of these people start off as genuine, lawful breeders, but it is not an easy task. Unfortunately, some years the birds don't produce any eggs. "A few breeders become tempted to stealwild chicks or eggs and add them to their own captive-bred collection." ——————————————————————————————————3/5—— National news headlines on ITV 300 NICK FISHER CAN HELP YOU p446Labour Events Index Grooves

P463Teletext 463Oct 4 21:00:00   ————————  —————————————— ILLEGAL EAGLES The RSPB and genuine breeders are opposed to birds being taken from the wild and passed off as captive-bred. The RSPB's Guy Shorrock says: "Illegal breeders are exploiting nature and suppressing the population of wild birds of prey. "They are laundering wild birds into a lawful market. There is even an international trade, with cases of smuggling eggs to the continent. ——————————————————————————————————4/5—— National news headlines on ITV 300 NICK FISHER CAN HELP YOU p446Labour Events Index Grooves